Canopy Porch Swings
There are several reasons why canopy porch swings are growing in popularity. They provide two main functional benefits. The first is shade. A porch swing is a much more comfortable place to spend a lazy afternoon if the sun isn’t beating down on your head.
The other benefit that is provided by the shade is that the swing lasts longer. The UV rays of the sun can be brutal to the material that makes up your swing. The canopy shade will help to slow down this process drastically.
Materials
Canvas is the material most commonly used to make canopy porch swings. By using this material, manufacturers are able to keep costs low, yet have the ability to create colorful canopies that can fit well with the décor of your yard space.
Canvas is also inexpensive to replace. If, due to some unforeseen circumstance, you should get a rip or a bad stain on your canopy, you can contact the manufacturer and order a replacement.
The lightweight metal tubing used to build the frames of most canopy porch swings brings several benefits of its own. It is much more cost efficient than a heavy steel structure would be and is much lighter in weight than a frame made of pressure treated lumber would be. The ability to move the porch swing around the yard easily is a big selling point.
Some framework is made with aluminum. Not only is the aluminum lightweight, but it will not rust. This means that you don’t need to spend any time worrying about a scratch in the paint. If you scratched a line in the paint on a steel framed swing, it would soon turn orange and begin to rust. Not so, with the aluminum framed model.
Porch Swing Care
As with any outdoor furniture, the best way to ensure that your canopy porch swings last a long time is to take care of it and perform some basic maintenance. Be sure to remove any debris that may land on the canopy itself, as the canopy probably isn’t designed to bear any weight. If you leave branches and other yard waste sitting on top, the canopy may eventually start to come loose.
The same goes for bird droppings. The acid in the bird droppings can discolor the canvas, so make sure you get out the garden hose and clean the canvas canopy on a regular basis. Concerning the frame, you will want to make sure that he moving parts are clean and well oiled.
If the swing is a glider style then you will want to make sure that you lubricate the rails every spring. Following these steps will ensure that your swing will continue to work like new every summer.